Young survivor Holli inspires mum to stride for stroke

“It was just a normal day and there were no warning signs,’’ Kristi said. Holli had dinner, read a book with her mum and went to bed as normal. Then during the night she woke. 

“I was putting Holli back to bed at around 11pm and she wouldn’t lie down. It looked like she was having a nightmare but she wouldn’t talk to me – the look in her eyes was very scary,” Kristi explained. 

“I stood her up and she was almost walking in circles. Her face drooped then she started convulsing, vomiting and passed out – it was terrifying.” Holli had suffered a stroke. Holli’s stroke has had an enormous impact on her and Kristi’s life. 

Kristi, a single parent, was forced to give up full-time work to care for Holli. “I went from working full-time and earning good money to only being able to work one day a week,” 

Kristi said. “Although I have great family support, we have essentially done this on our own. There is no second parent to share the load or who is as invested in Holli’s recovery as I am. “I take her to see speech therapists, occupational therapists, child psychologists, dieticians, paediatricians, neurosurgeons, tutors and a heart specialist, as well as other activities. “I feel like Holli has been robbed of her childhood as she always has to be somewhere or doing something to aid her recovery.” 

Kristi and Holli are taking part in in Stride for Stroke, the National Stroke Foundation’s month long campaign to help stop stroke, save lives and end suffering. Kristi is pledging to run 100 kilometres and raise $2,500 in an effort to help other families avoid going through what she and Holli experienced. 

“It didn’t actually register with me for a long time that Holli would have lasting effects from the stroke. I actually thought she would get better and that she would just be her old self again,” Kristi said. “Before the stroke Holli was a very intelligent, bright kid full of confidence. 

Now she struggles enormously with her learning as she has aphasia [impaired ability to talk, read, write or understand others when they speak] as a result of her stroke, which causes fatigue, and issues with concentration, focus and emotions.

“I set the challenge of running 100 kilometres as I hate running and I thought that it was my turn to put myself completely out of my comfort zone. Holli will have to do this for the rest of her life so the least I can do is push myself for one month.” Kristi said Holli had been her greatest supporter in striding for stroke. “Holli has been with me on a few runs on her electric scooter or bike but it can be a little far for her,’’ she said. “Holli is always there when I get back though to stretch with me and make sure I’m looking after myself.”

National Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Dr Erin Lalor said Stride for Stroke aimed to raise vital funds to support stroke survivors and carers like Holli and Kristi.

“Stride for Stroke is asking walkers and runners from across Australia to take on a personal challenge throughout November and fundraise to help us fight stroke,’’ Dr Lalor said.

“There are more than 440,000 stroke survivors living in Australia. Every dollar raised makes a difference in how we can support them.

“It doesn’t matter how far you stride – every effort counts in the battle against stroke.”